Washing machine packing brace

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a packing brace for a washing machine assembly of the type having a rotatable agitator positioned within a washing drum which comprises a single unitary block of resilient material having a length dimensionally greater than the width and height thereof and opposing side walls and end walls, the block provided with a center core cut-out bounded by opposed straight edges and opposed oppositely disposed forward and rear arcuate walls, the straight side edges bounding the center core cut-out being co-extensive with lateral slits, the block further provided with a pair of central slits extending mid-width along the length thereof from each end to a point spaced inwardly from the center core cut-out and terminating at a circular core adjacent to the center core cut-out thereby to form two pair of bracing members providing a self-formed hinge between each of the respective pairs of bracing members, each of the bracing members being movable to a laterally extended packing position as a result of the self-formed hinges associated therewith and due to the resiliency of the material.



1. A packing brace for a washing machine assembly having a rotatable agitator positioned within the washing drum, comprising, a single unitary block of resilient material, said block having a length dimensionally greater than the width and height thereof and having opposed sides and ends, said block provided with a center core cut-out, said ceNter core cut-out bounded by opposed straight side edges and opposed oppositely disposed forward and rear arcuate walls, each of said straight side edges bounding said center core cut-out being co-extensive with lateral slits, said block further provided with a pair of central slits extending mid-width along the length thereof from each end to a point spaced inwardly from said center core cut-out, thereby to form two pair of bracing members, each of said mid-width slits terminating at a circular core positioned adjacent to said center core cut-out thereby to provide a self-formed hinge between each respective pair of said bracing members, and each of said bracing members being movable to a laterally extended packing position as a result of the self-formed hinges associated therewith and the resiliency of the material, whereby said center core accomodates the agitator head of a washing machine and each of said bracing members may be moved laterally to frictionally engage the interior side walls of the washing machine drum, thereby to firmly engage and restrain the agitator from movement.
 2. The packing brace as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein said pair of bracing members are oppositely opposed relative to said center core cut-out when in the resting position.
 3. The packing brace as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein each of said pair of bracing members is provided with at least one end slot cut therein and extending transverse to the axis of said mid-width slits.
 4. The packing brace as set forth in claim 3 above wherein each of said bracing members is provided with a pair of spaced end slots cut therein extending transverse to the axis of said mid-width slits.
 5. The packing brace as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein each of said bracing members is alternately laterally movable to an extended packing and bracing position, and to a storage non-use position, thereby to permit storage and re-use of said packing brace. 